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Find Courage When Fear Comes Knocking (with free printable) [Short Bursts of Encouragement]
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33, emphasis mine You and I are faced with trials every day. Fear is a real thing—a powerful force in this world. Too often we become paralyzed by that fear or, sometimes worse, act rashly in our fear.…
Live in the Present with Your Eyes on the Future #ShortBurstsofEncouragement
Fall in the Midwest is a lovely time. The various shades of green change to deep reds, brilliant oranges, glowing yellows, and rich browns. Given the proper conditions (cool, calm, sunny days) the colors will hang on for weeks. Eventually though those gorgeous hues end up on the ground. The leaves, once so full of life,…
“Waiting” Is Not a Bad Word: For When there Is No Clear Direction
“The best thing to do when you don’t know what to do is the hardest thing ever: wait.” From the moment we awake, we are on the go. Even when we don’t know where we are going or what to do, we are moving … somewhere. We’ve developed the mentality that somewhere is better than…
When You Want What Is Not Yours to Have (pursuing contentment)
This is an excerpt (with a few tweaks) from a post I wrote to my sisters-in-Christ who are attending the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference this week. I thought it might be insightful and encouraging to some of you as well. On the eve of another She Speaks conference, I’m finding myself once again not…
How to Find Fulfillment in the Midst of Your Pain
“I am afflicted and needy; hurry to me, God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.” (Psalm 70:5) Happiness was mine growing up. Each adventure-filled day became whatever I made it. Little rocked my boat. But storms in this life will come. And as soon as one hit I was tossed…
Am I Willing…? (Reflections for Lent)
When my boys were little, I had to wrap them tightly in my arms to have their vaccinations administered. No matter how clearly I explained the importance of the shots, they refused to willingly submit to the pain, even if it would produce something good in them. They were too little to know better, but…
In the Impossible, God Is the Possible (and A Prayer)
“There are 3 stages to every great work of God: First it’s impossible, Then it’s difficult, Then it’s done.” ~ J. Hudson Taylor I’m great at dreaming big. The trouble lies in carrying those dreams through. Even when I’m certain God has placed the aspiration on my heart, I hesitate, the goal daunting in front of me.…
Ask How to Serve Not Why
It’s easy to fall into distrust of our fellow man. Even those of us who live compassionately and generously stoop to cynicism from time to time. Stories about fraud, deceit, and hypocrisy plaster the news. Likely, most of us know someone personally who has lied to get what she/he wanted. Perhaps you have even suffered…
When Disappointment Threatens to Crowd Out Joy
A recent event sparked disappointment in a few of us in my family. It wasn’t a tragic event with life-altering consequences, but a time of discouragement and unrest. You know the feeling. A sense of longing for the opposite of what did happen. As I was processing this event, I realized competing camps battled for…
Walk in Greater Peace: Lessons From Those Who Came Before
She was barren for many years. She gave her son away when he was just a tot. She faced marital difficulties. She lost nearly all of her family and felt compelled to leave the only land she knew. She faced an excruciatingly difficult decision that had high stakes, and fear made her hesitant to act.…
Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.
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